ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Special Service and Features
Regional Media Workshop by PIB Cochin to be held in Chalakkudy, Thrissur district on January 30, 2023
Cochin: January 29, 2023
Press Information Bureau , Cochin, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is organizing a Regional Media Workshop for journalists on January 30, 2023  from 9.30 am at Hotel Sidhartha in Chalakkudy, Thrissur district. Thrissur Rural SP Smt. Aishwarya Dongre will inaugurate the Conference. Shri. V. Palanichamy, Additional Director General, PIB Kerala-Lakshadweep Region, will preside over the function and Shri M. G. Babu, President, Chalakkudy Press Club, will deliver the Keynote address.
Shri T. V. Ashok Kumar, Financial Literacy Counselor, Canara bank, Thrissur will lead the first session on "Central Government Schemes-Economic Perspective". Shri Mohandas Parapurath, senior journalist, will then speak on "Central Govt Schemes-Social Perspective and the Role of media in Creating a Jan Andolan ".
Smt. Rashmi Roja Thushara Nair, Director , PIB Cochin will give an Introduction to various media Organizations under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
In the 'Sharing of Experiences' segment of the Workshop, officials from various media organizations under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will narrate their experiences. Beneficiaries of central government schemes; social influencer Smt Uma Preman who runs the Santi Medical Information Center, a charitable organization and Shri Soorej Raj, representing the community radio station, 'Hello Radio' will also address the audience.
Shri K. V. Jayan, Secretary, Press Club and Smt Shamila K. Y., Media and Communication Officer, PIB Cochin will also address the Workshop which is being organized in association with Press Club, Chalakkudy and CBC, Thrissur Office.
PIB periodically organizes such workshops in various districts to build a direct interface with regional media persons as part of its outreach activities.
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Ministry of Education
75 institutions have been identified to act as National Resource Centres  to prepare online training material for Massive Open Online Courses 
The Government has identified 75 institutions to act as National Resource Centres  to prepare online training material for Massive Open Online Courses  with focus on latest developments in the discipline, new & emerging trends, pedagogical improvements and methodologies for transacting revised curriculum. In the first phase, 75 discipline-specific National Resource Centres have been identified, under the Ministry’s Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching  located in Central Universities, IISc, IUCAA, IITs, IISERs, NITs, State Universities; UGC’s Human Resource Development Centres , National Institutes for Technical Teachers Training , IIITs, Open Universities. These NRCs cover wide ranging disciplines of Social Sciences, Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Design & Manufacturing, Humanities, Language Teaching, Commerce, Management, Education Planning and Administration, Public Policy, Leadership & Governance, Library & Information Science, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Assessment and Evaluation, Pedagogy and research methods, cutting edge areas of Nano-sciences, Internet of Things, etc.
Under this initiative, all in-service teachers, irrespective of their subject and seniority have an enabling opportunity to keep abreast of the latest developments in their disciplines through the technology based online refresher course, through SWAYAM, India’s own MOOCs platform.
This information was given by the Minister of State , Dr. Satya Pal Singh today in a written reply to a Lok Sabha question.
Ministry of Home Affairs
NHRC to hold one-day open consultation on health insurance of persons with disabilities in Mumbai on 25th August, 2023
Mumbai : 24 August 2023
The National Human Rights Commission , India is organising a one-day open house consultation on health insurance of persons with disabilities at Jio Convention Centre in Mumbai on 25th August, 2023. The event is being held in collaboration with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India  and National Centre for Promotion of Employment of Persons with Disabilities, Mumbai.
The expenditure on health of Indians has increased in recent years. For persons with disabilities, it is even higher because there is an additional cost associated for living with a disability. The objective of the conference is to understand the challenges being faced by persons with disabilities while approaching insurance providers specifically for retail policies, challenges of insurance companies in providing their policies, regulatory authorities such as IRDAI, challenges faced by insurance chain in providing end to end insurance services, and to discuss and promote the launch of standardised insurance products developed by IRDAI for persons with disabilities.
The conference will be held in two sessions. These include ‘Identification of issues of PwDs in seeking insurance facilities’ and ‘Identification of provisions and issues faced by insurance companies with respect of providing insurance to PwDs and way forward’. The conference will be chaired by Dr Dyaneshwar Manohar Mulay, Member, NHRC. Joint Secretary, Devendra Kumar Nim and other officials of the NHRC will attend the conference.
The participants will include representatives of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India , Insurance Providers and Third-Party Administrators, Key members from the National Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, National Centre for Promotion of Employment of Disabled People , Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Countries have an obligation under international human rights law and domestic laws to address the health inequities faced by persons with disabilities. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities , to which India is a signatory, requires State Parties to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to the same range, quality and standard of free or affordable health care as others. Right to health is fundamental right guaranteed to every citizen of India under article 21 of the Constitution of India which is also mandated by the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 under sections 3 and 25, mandates insurance for persons with disabilities.
NJ/PM
Follow us on social media:@PIBMumbai /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai
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Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles demise of Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and other personnel of Armed Forces in helicopter crash
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the demise of Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and other personnel of the Armed Forces in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu.
In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said;
"I am deeply anguished by the helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu in which we have lost Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and other personnel of the Armed Forces. They served India with utmost diligence. My thoughts are with the bereaved families.
Gen Bipin Rawat was an outstanding soldier. A true patriot, he greatly contributed to modernising our armed forces and security apparatus. His insights and perspectives on strategic matters were exceptional. His passing away has saddened me deeply. Om Shanti.
As India’s first CDS, Gen Rawat worked on diverse aspects relating to our armed forces including defence reforms. He brought with him a rich experience of serving in the Army. India will never forget his exceptional service."
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Nagarjuna Sagardam
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in his letter dated 05.07.2021 addressed to the Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti has mentioned that “the State of Telangana continues to unilaterally operate hydel power generation from Nagarjunasagar Project without placing indent before KRMB and in violation of the protocol for water drawals”.
The Krishna River Management Board  vide its letter dated 15.07.2021 has requested the Telangana State GENCO authorities to stop further release of water through Srisailam Dam , NagarjunaSagar Dam and Pulichintala Project, as it is agreed that quantum of water drawn for power generation purpose is incidental to irrigation and drinking water needs.
This Information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti & Tribal Affairs, Shri BishweswarTudu in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Tender to Local Companies
To ensure that the local firms are allotted the tender under Atmanirbhar Bharat, the following measures have been taken:-
1. The Department of Expenditure  vide Order No. 12/17/2019-PPD dated 15.05.2020  has amended Rule 161  of General Financial Rules  2017 restricting Global Tender Enquiry  for the contract/ supply value of above Rs. 200 crore to enable floating of local tenders by Procuring Entities of Government of India for the benefit of Local Industry.
2. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade  has issued Order dated 04.06.2020  under Rule 153 of the General Financial Rules 2017 to promote participation of local suppliers in Public Procurement .
3. GeM has made it mandatory for the sellers, to declare Country of Origin for every product offered by them on the GeM portal.
As per available data on Government e-Marketplace , 50,346 contracts have been awarded between 04.06.2020 and 15.09.2020 to various sellers for the products conforming to the new guidelines.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Adoption process becomes much faster ; A total of 2625 adoption orders issued till 31ST July, 2023.
With the Amendment of the Juvenile Justice  Act 2015 , and consequent notification of Adoption Regulations with effect from 23.09.2022, the adoption process has become much faster and adoption orders by District Magistrates are being issued well within the laid down time lines. From 23.09.2022 to 31.07.2023 a total of 2625 adoption orders have been issued.
Adoption process of orphan, abandoned and surrendered children is monitored and regulated as per the Juvenile Justice  Act, 2015  and the Adoption Regulations, 2022. Child Adoption Resource Information & Guidance System , an online platform, has been developed for building bridges and creating links through a robust web-based management system designed to bring transparency in the adoption system and also curtailing delays at various level. The recent amendments made in the Regulations have been duly incorporated in the online portal. The Juvenile Justice  Amendment Rules, 2022 has empowered the District Magistrates to issue adoption orders.
Adoption of children having special needs and older children has also been facilitated through CARINGS. The Prospective Adoptive Parents  can directly reserve such children irrespective of their seniority. Besides a 7 day module has been introduced for Resident Indian , Non-Resident Indian  and Overseas Citizen of India , PAPs to adopt children before they are referred to foreign PAPs.
This information was given by the Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Supply of Irrigation Equipment to Farmers at Subsidized Rate
The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare  is implementing Per Drop More Crop component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana  from 2015-16 in all the States of the Country. The PDMC scheme focuses on enhancing water use efficiency at farm level through Micro Irrigation viz. Drip and Sprinkler irrigation systems.
The Government provides financial assistance/subsidy @ 55% of the indicative unit cost to Small & Marginal farmers and @45% to Other farmers for encouraging them to install Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation systems under the PDMC scheme to enhance the coverage. In addition, some States provide additional incentives/top up subsidy to reduce farmers’ share for adoption of Micro Irrigation.
So far, total 185235 number of farmers benefited under PDMC scheme in the State of Uttar Pradesh.
This information was given by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
220.66 cr Total Vaccine doses  have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
172 doses administered in last 24 hours
India's Active caseload currently stands at 47,246
Active cases stand at 0.11%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.71%
6,037 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,43,70,878
4,282 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
92.67 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 87,038 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Ministry of Women and Child Development seeks comments/suggestions on Amendments to Juvenile Justice  Model Rules, 2016
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has invited comments/suggestions from all stakeholders to the draft amendments to Juvenile Justice  Model Rules, 2016. All the stakeholders are requested to offer their comments/suggestions on the aforesaid Rules by 11.11.2021 on the e-mail ID cw2section-mwcd[at]gov[dot]in
The Juvenile Justice  Amendment Bill, 2021, which seeks to amend the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, was passed in the Rajya Sabha on 28th July, 2021. The bill was introduced in the Parliament by the Government in the Budget session this year. It was passed in Lok Sabha on 24.03.2021.
While introducing the bill, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani stressed upon the necessity for entrusting District Magistrates with the responsibility of care and protection of vulnerable children in light of the prevailing inadequacies in the system. She recounted the commitment of the Parliament towards prioritising India’s children above all issues.
The amendments include authorizing District Magistrate including Additional District Magistrate to issue adoption orders under Section 61 of the JJ Act, in order to ensure speedy disposal of cases and enhance accountability. The District Magistrates have been further empowered under the Act, to ensure its smooth implementation, as well as garner synergized efforts in favour of children in distress conditions. As per the amended provisions of the Act, any Child Care Institutions shall be registered after considering the recommendations of the District Magistrate. The DM shall independently evaluate the functioning of District Child Protection Units, Child Welfare Committees, Juvenile Justice Boards, Specialized Juvenile Police Units, Child care Institutions etc.
Click on the link below to see the draft amendments to Juvenile Justice  Model Rules, 2016
https://wcd.nic.in/sites/default/files/Attachment-%20Working%20Draft%20on%20JJ%20Model%20Rules%202016-%20forwarding%20for%20comments%2027102021_0.pdf
Ministry of Home Affairs
MHA writes to all States/ UTs to ensure compliance of Supreme Court directions on Welfare of Migrant Labourers housed at Relief Shelters/Camps
In view of the Supreme Court of India directions regarding welfare of migrant labourers housed at relief shelters/camps in different parts of country, Union Ministry of Home Affairs  has written to all States/UTs to take necessary action in compliance of the directions of the Court, while implementing lockdown measures to fight COVID-19 effectively.
The Court directed that adequate medical facilities besides proper arrangements for food, clean drinking water and sanitation be ensured for migrant workers at relief camps/shelters across the country. Further, trained counsellors and/ or community group leaders belonging to all faiths should visit the relief camps/ shelter homes and deal with any consternation that the migrants might be going through.
The Court also observed that the anxiety and fear of the migrants should be understood by the police and other authorities, and that they should deal with the migrants in a humane manner. Further, the State Governments/ UTs should endeavour to engage volunteers along with the police to supervise the welfare activities of the migrants.
The MHA Communication also reiterates the directions given in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare letter to all States/UTs, on above lines. The Health Ministry has issued detailed guidelines for States/UTs to deal with psychosocial issues among migrants, which has been placed at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/RevisedPsychosocialissuesofmigrantsCOVID19.pdf
PIB Headquarters
Press release on National Best Welder competition for Women -2019
KEMPPI India Pvt Ltd and Nextgen Plasma Pvt Ltd in association with IIW India and IGCAR Kalpakkam, organized the National Best Welder competition for Women -2019
The innovative Best Welder competition for Women was held in the four zones –New Delhi, Pune, Calcutta, and Chennai has won nationwide attention. Many women welders have been catapulted to the lime light of welding industry by proving their technical excellence which is being noticed by policy makers. Around 52 women welders took part in the event and 13 contestants made it to the finals. The grand Finale of the competition was held on 6th Dec 2019 at KEMPPI India Pvt Ltd, Chennai . Evaluation and Inspection of weld test coupons will be carried out by the experts from IGCAR, Kalpakkam.
The skill competition was organized in four categories namely, STRUCTURAL WELDER in 3G position for SHIELDED METAL ARC WELDING PROCESS and GAS METAL ARC WELDING PROCESS, PIPE WLEDER in 6 G position for GAS METAL ARC WELDING PROCESS and GAS TUNGSTEN ARC WELDING PROCESS. Evaluation of the weld coupons will be done in two stages. First by visual examination and followed by Radiography. The results will be announced on Dec 10th, 2019 and the winners will represent our country in International forum.
The rise in the number of entrants for the contest from 18 in the first season to 52 this time is an evidence for the relevance of this competition. Additionally a new category for the students was introduced in this edition. The enhanced participation by women across the country proves that no skill is forbidden for a woman and skill is not gender biased. Such competitions are paving path for the women welders to find the right track and in return they are fabricating a revolutionary change, according to a press release issued by the IGCAR, Chennai.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & PD, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan holds wide ranging discussions on formulation of rules & regulations under Consumer Protection Act, 2019 with several MPs, senior ministry officials and media personnel
Shri Paswan invites suggestions for formulation of Rules & Regulations under new CP Act by 15th September; Asserts formulation process shall be completed by December 2019
 from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha along with the current and former Secretaries from Department of Consumer Affairs and senior officials of the Ministry and media personnel. The discussions covered multiple important aspects of the new Consumer Protection Act, 2019 such as the Central Consumer Protection Authority , District, State and National Commissions, mediation rules, e-commerce rules, misleading advertisements etc.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Shri Paswan informed in Parliament during the discussion on the bill that MPs who had expressed their suggestions would be called for an open discussion so that maximum suggestions can be incorporated in the rules. Shri Paswan expressed happiness about the fact that MPs across party lines came to discuss such an important issue which has wide ranging impact on lives of consumers across the nation.
The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Shri Ram Vilas Paswan invited all MPs, Secretaries, officials as well as Media personnel to give their other suggestions on the formulation of rules and regulations in writing to the Secretary, Consumer Affairs, Shri Avinash K Srivastava by 15th September, 2019. Shri Paswan said that it will be the endeavour for the Ministry to ensure that all suggestions are suitably considered within the legal framework and the best possible outcome is achieved in terms of drafting comprehensive rules and regulations under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Shri Paswan also asserted that while it usually takes a year or two to form the rules and regulations under any Act, the same under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 will be formed within the next 3 months and notified before 31st December, 2019 itself. Talking about exclusion of Health Sector from the purview of the Bill, Shri Paswan said that rules for the health sector will continue to remain as they are currently. He said that the views of Health Ministry was also considered and the consumers are free to approach consumer fora in case of any infringement of their rights.
Several MPs hailed the initiative taken by the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs Shri Ram Vilas Paswan for calling a meeting of MPs across party lines to incorporate their suggestions in the rule formulation process. It was stated that usually the function of MPs end after passage of the bill but this new endeavour has given a fresh impetus to MPs to give their suggestions and inputs. Several suggestions given today were recorded and will now be considered to the extent possible for being incorporated in the rules and regulations.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles loss of lives in Serum Institute fire
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the loss of lives in a fire at Serum Institute Pune.
In a tweet, Shri Modi said "Anguished by the loss of lives due to an unfortunate fire at the @SerumInstIndia. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives. I pray that those injured recover at the earliest."
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Central Government Pensioners
As per database maintained by Central Pension Accounting Office , Controller General of Defence Accounts, Ministry of Railways, Department of Telecommunications, Department of Post, the estimated number of retired persons availing Central Government pension is at Annexure-I.
The approximate number of Central Government Pensioners as on 31/03/2021 is as follows:
|
|
S.No.
|
|
Pensioner/Family Pensioner
|
|
Number of Pensioners including Family Pensioners
|
|
A.
|
|
Pensioners  of all Ministries/Departments under the Accounting jurisdiction of Controller General of Account, M/O Finance.
, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance is responsible for maintaining the pensioners’ data and incurring expenditure on payment of pension/family pension. Civil Ministries include all the CAPFs viz. BSF, CRPF, Assam Rifles, SSB, CISF, ITBP under MHA as well.)
|
|
11,06,000

|
|
B.
|
|
Defence Pensioners 
, Ministry of Defence.
|
|
34,10,567

|
|
C.
|
|
Railway Pensioners 

|
|
15,54,585

|
|
D.
|
|
Telecom Pensioners 

|
|
4,67,751

|
|
E.
|
|
Postal Pensioners 

|
|
3,23,562

|
|
|
|
GRAND TOTAL OF PENSIONERS
|
|
68,62,465
|
|
GRAND TOTAL OF FAMILY PENSIONERS ONLY
|
|
21,60,808As per the data received from the CPAO, Defence, Railways, Telecom & Posts.
With a view to make Doorstep Services for submission of Life Certificate available to all pensioners across the country and to ease the process, the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare roped in the India Posts and Payment Bank  under the Department of Posts for Digital Life Certificate. The IPPB has started Doorstep Service of obtaining Life Certificate in November, 2020 through its network of Postmen & Gramin Dak Sevaks.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of State  Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
SNC/RR/2324